Malcolm Wiens did his best Messi impersonation by scoring five times in the first 25 minutes. as the Vernon United ambushed the Shuswap Selects 8-0 in Thompson Okanagan Under 15 Boys Rep Soccer League action Sunday at Marshall Field #5.

“Malcolm overwhelmed the Shuswap defence with his speed”, said United coach Rolf Hirschkorn.

Mees Geelkerken set up four of Wiens’ goals, while Charis Ondrik added another assist. After Wiens was taken off, United scored two more.

After taking a dish from Kevin Thibault, central defender Josh Gray sliced through the Selects to score his first of the season. Elias Jensen added a rocket from 25 yards, top, left corner, making it 7-0 at the break.

“The boys controlled the first half and did a good job of keeping possession and thwarting any Sushwap attack”, said United coach Erick Burnet.

Vernon dominated the possession and worked the ball well around the field in the second half. Sam Eggert concluded the scoring after he converted a Connor London flick-on.

Morgan Nichols and Peter Hirschkorn did a good job in central defence, while Wyatt Carter and Owen Burnet stopped anything coming down the wings. Gavin Mason, Shey Townley and James Huntington controlled the middle of the pitch. Harvey Pawsey recorded the shutout.

“Overall we were pleased with the boys’ play and we hope to continue working together well this weekend at the Ice Breaker Tournament in Lake Country. These games will be a good test for us to see where we really are at at this point of the season”, said Hirschkorn.

Vernon opens up against Prince George on Friday, with two games on Saturday against Kelowna and Kamloops. The finals are set for Sunday.

Penticton struck in the 10th and 19th minutes to stop United, who upped their intensity in a much better second half.

“Ben Purvis worked his butt off in midfield and got kicked off the pitch for a bit by a very physical Penticton player already on a yellow card,” said United coach Remco Wijnhorst. “But he iced for 10 minutes and went back on.

“Ian Oliphant was our Man of the Match in goal with some solid saves in both halves and some dramatically improved goal kicks from last week. He worked hard all week in practice and it showed.”

In U13 boys play, Lee Christensen scored for Vernon in a 1-1 tie with Revelstoke Avalanche Sunday at Marshall Field #4.

Man of the Match Josh Mckeown was strong on the ball and showed outstanding hustle and effort, which rubbed off on the entire team.

Goal scorers were William Oordt-Bosman, Isaiah Ondrik, Max Chirkoff and Nate Paskiewich on a 30-yard drive. Keeper Kevin Morgan was solid, diving to thwart numerous breakaways, with defenders Connor Hanson and Aiden Skinner having shut-down games on the back line.

The boys worked hard to keep possession and establish control of the ball and were well deserving of the final result.

United U12 boys #2 played to a hard-fought 1-1 tie versus the Kelowna Red.

The first half was a tight battle with Liam Reid, Tysen Fairweather and Ben Morgan shutting down Kelowna and Vernon getting some solid saves from Logan Quibel.

Kelowna went ahead after a free kick that deflected off some bodies and into the net. Vernon came out flying in the second half with Keegan Carmichael, Kobe Grant and Dawson Martian leading great attacks. Liam Glennon was solid at center midfield and was rewarded a penalty kick after being taken down in the box. The well-struck PK by Glennon tied the game.

Both Vernon teams see action at the Winfield Ice Breaker this weekend.

Under 13 girls shut down Pinnacles 3-0

United U13 girls opened their season by shutting down the Penticton Pinnacles 3-0.

Vernon’s first goal came within the first minute with Keira Correia charging the net on a long ball from Brianna Bobbitt.

Strong defensive and midfield control by Makena Kersey and Danica Ariano led to a great lob by Mira Szudek, tucking the ball behind the keeper from just outside the 18.

Finishing off the first half, United’s Kelsey Falk and Megan Sherwood pressed on the forward line, with Sherwood connecting on a sniper shot for the third goal. Hailey Yablonski earned the shutout with some stellar saves as the Pinnacles pressed and held United scoreless in the second half.

Christensen pulls hat trick for United U14

The U14 girls played their season opener, coached again by Al Gee and Ley Christensen, after having a bye the previous weekend.

It was a one-sided 12-0 United win over Penticton at Marshall #4 as their winter training started to show some dividends.

Mason Christensen pulled the hat trick, while Paige Latta added a deuce and singles came from Abbey Magnus, Alyssa Racine and Maja Splawinski. The Pinnacles gave up two own goals. The U14 girls play some top-flight teams from Kamloops, Prince George and Calgary at the Ice Breaker.

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